El Rufai Faults Police Over Ban On ADC Meeting In Kaduna

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has criticised the police for stopping a scheduled meeting of African Democratic Congress leaders in Kaduna, describing the move as unconstitutional and an abuse of power.

The meeting was planned for the North-West leadership of the ADC to sympathise with party members following an attack by suspected thugs during an opposition gathering in the state last Saturday. That attack, which targeted leaders from ADC, PDP, SDP, NNPP, and LP, left several people injured and property damaged. Witnesses faulted the police for failing to act during the violence.

Speaking from his residence in Kaduna on Thursday, El-Rufai said the state police commissioner issued a letter stopping the ADC meeting. He alleged that the commissioner also claimed to have obtained a court order but failed to properly serve it on those concerned. According to him, even if such an injunction existed, due legal process had not been followed.

El-Rufai argued that the police action infringed on the right to peaceful assembly guaranteed under the Constitution. He said political parties should be free to meet and engage without harassment or unlawful restrictions.

Despite his objections, El-Rufai explained that party leaders chose not to hold the meeting to avoid confrontation with security agencies. Instead, they held a press briefing at his private residence, which he said had not been used for years.

The former governor stressed that the matter would not be allowed to fade, suggesting that legal action could be taken to challenge the police commissioner’s decision. He said his team was waiting to see the court order and would contest it up to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Attempts to get a reaction from the Kaduna Police Command were unsuccessful as calls and messages to its spokesperson went unanswered.